Art and Design

MUSEU NACIONAL DE BELAS ARTES

Av Rio Branco 199
T 2240 0068www.mnba.gov.br
Adolfo Morales de Los Rios was inspired by the Louvre and built Brazil’s first art gallery. With 20,000 pieces, the majority of the works are Brazilian and date from the 17th to the 20th centuries. From sculpture and decorative art to popular and fine art, you’ll find a very good variety of art here.

MUSEU DE ARTE CONTEMPORANEA

Mirante da Boa Viagem, Niteroi,
T 2620 2400www.macniteroi.com.br
You’ll find contemporary art housed in one of the most iconic buildings designed by Oscar Niemeyer. When looking at the building from afar you might see a flying saucer hovering there above the earth. It’s definitely otherworldly but right at home. Perhaps those were Niemeyer’s intentions. This is definitely one building you must see in person.

MUSEA DE ARTE MODERNA

Avenida Infante Dom Henrique 85,
T 2240 4944www.mamrio.com.br
Most art enthusiasts say this is not the best place to look at art, but the building itself is quite remarkable. Designed by Affonso Eduardo Reidy, the main building is supported by giant pillars and trusses that allow for a titanic interior space free from obstruction.

INSTITUTO MOREIRA SALLES

Rua Marquês de São Vicente 476,
T 3284 7400ims.uol.com.br
This museum used to be a private residence. Now one can ramble inside the landscaped gardens or go inside and see 19th and 20th century photographic exhibitions of Brazilian artists.

MOSTEIRO DE SAO BENTO

Rua Dom Gerardo 68,
T 2291 7122www.osb.org.br
The first religious order in Brazil, the Benedictines, built this hilltop monastery in 1590. Dedicated to Our Lady of Montserrat (a black Madonna from Europe), the building contains elaborate and richly detailed interiors that took 70 years to complete.

Daniela Federici's The Moden Nomad is a site about photography and travelling to exotic destinations, inspired by culture, fashion, art, design, great restaurants, hip hotels and meeting fascinating people